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Seme Customs Command collects N973m revenue in October

The Seme Command
of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected the sum of N973.5 million in
October, representing its highest monthly revenue in 2014.

This is contained
in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos by the Command’s Spokesman,
Mr Ernest Olottah.

The command
recorded revenue of N963.7 million in September.

According to the
statement, the command also made 24 seizures of rice, frozen poultry products
and other general goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N32 million.

The Customs Area
Controller of Seme, Mr Willy Egbudin, described the revenue collection feat as
a product of increased compliance by stakeholders and non- compromise by
customs officers.

Egbudin promised
to continue making the border unattractive to smugglers and other perpetrators
of trans-border illegalities.

The comptroller
said the service had resolved to maximally collect all revenues due to the
government through customs duty with continuous improvement in the blockage of
all identifiable sources of leakages.

He said the
command had commenced intensified patrols ahead of the Yuletide season when
smuggling activities are at the peak.

Egbudin said the
smugglers who changed routes to other areas like Shaki, Oyo State and Idiroko,
Ogun, were not finding it easy.

According to him,
the customs operatives there (Shaki and Idiroko) are matching them strength for
strength and are seizing their wares.

“In carrying out
the directives of our Comptroller-General, Dikko Abdullahi, I have constantly
sensitised and reminded our officers and men of the zero tolerance for
smuggling stance.

“On this, there
is no going back. We are sending a strong warning to smugglers that daring us
means a venture into big regrets.

“We shall
continue to apply the strategy of enlightenment and sensitisation with all our
stakeholders and keep dissuading them from smuggling and other border related
unlawful activities,’’ he said.

The comptroller
assured the trading public and travelers across the border that customs’
presence at strategic and approved points would assist in facilitation of
legitimate trade at the borders and transit routes into Lagos.